Liquid crystal display

ABSTRACT

A liquid crystal display includes: a first substrate; a gate line on the first substrate; a gate insulating layer on the gate line; a semiconductor layer on the gate insulating layer; a data line and a drain electrode on the semiconductor layer; a passivation layer covering the data line and the drain electrode; a common electrode on the passivation layer; an interlayer insulating layer on the common electrode; a pixel electrode on the interlayer insulating layer; an additional insulating layer on the pixel electrode; a second substrate opposite to the first substrate; and a black matrix on the second substrate, and including a vertical portion covering the data line and a horizontal portion covering the gate line and the drain electrode, where an empty portion is defined through the additional insulating layer in a portion corresponding to the black matrix.

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/481,330, filed on Sep. 9, 2014, which claims priority to KoreanPatent Application No. 10-2014-0005312 filed on Jan. 15, 2014, and allthe benefits accruing therefrom under 35 U.S.C. §119, the content ofwhich in its entirety is herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

(a) Field

Exemplary embodiments of the invention relate to a liquid crystaldisplay.

(b) Description of the Related Art

A liquid crystal display, which is one of the most widely used types offlat panel display, displays an image by adjusting the amount oftransmitted light by applying a voltage to an electrode and therebyrearranging liquid crystal molecules of a liquid crystal layer.

The liquid crystal display has may be effectively manufactured to bethin, while side visibility may be poor compared to front visibility,and as a result, various methods of arranging and driving liquid crystalhave been developed to improve the side visibility. A liquid crystaldisplay, in which a pixel electrode and a common electrode are disposedon a same substrate, may have a wide viewing angle.

SUMMARY

In a liquid crystal display, when optimum common voltages between awhite image and a black image are set to be different to improve sidevisibility, a surface afterimage is generated due to the difference.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a display device withreduced surface afterimage and line afterimage recognized as a surfaceafterimage by controlling a thickness of a passivation layer in a lowerportion of a black matrix and a thickness of a passivation layer in alower portion of a pixel electrode.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention provides a liquid crystaldisplay, including: a first substrate; a gate line disposed on the firstsubstrate; a gate insulating layer disposed on the gate line; asemiconductor layer disposed on the gate insulating layer; a data linedisposed on the semiconductor layer; a drain electrode disposed on thesemiconductor layer; a passivation layer which covers the data line andthe drain electrode; a common electrode disposed on the passivationlayer; an interlayer insulating layer disposed on the common electrode;a pixel electrode disposed on the interlayer insulating layer; anadditional insulating layer disposed on the pixel electrode; a secondsubstrate disposed opposite to the first substrate; and a black matrixdisposed on the second substrate, where the black matrix includes avertical portion which covers the data line and a horizontal portionwhich covers the gate line and the drain electrode, in which theadditional insulating layer is disposed in an opening portion exposedthrough the black matrix, and an empty portion is defined through theadditional insulating layer in a light blocking portion corresponding tothe black matrix.

In an exemplary embodiment, the liquid crystal display may furtherinclude an organic layer disposed on the passivation layer.

In an exemplary embodiment, a thickness of the additional insulatinglayer may be in a range of about 1,000 angstrom (Å) to about 3,000 Å.

In an exemplary embodiment, a thickness of the interlayer insulatinglayer corresponding to the vertical portion of the black matrix may beless than a thickness of the interlayer insulating layer in the openingportion.

In an exemplary embodiment, an empty portion may be defined through theinterlayer insulating layer in a region corresponding to the verticalportion of the black matrix such that the common electrode in the regioncorresponding to the vertical portion of the black matrix may be exposedthrough the additional insulating layer and the interlayer insulatinglayer.

In an exemplary embodiment, a common electrode opening portion may bedefined through the common electrode in the region corresponding to thevertical portion of the black matrix, and an empty portion may bedefined through the organic layer in the region corresponding to thevertical portion of the black matrix such that the gate insulating layermay be exposed through the additional insulating layer, the interlayerinsulating layer and the organic layer.

In an exemplary embodiment, an empty portion may be defined through thegate insulating layer in the region corresponding to the verticalportion of the black matrix such that the gate line may be exposedthrough the additional insulating layer, the interlayer insulatinglayer, the organic layer and the gate insulating layer.

In an exemplary embodiment, a total thickness of the interlayerinsulating layer and the additional insulating layer may be greater inthe opening portion than in the light blocking portion.

Another exemplary embodiment of the invention provides a liquid crystaldisplay including: a first substrate; a gate line disposed on the firstsubstrate; a gate insulating layer disposed on the gate line; asemiconductor layer disposed on the gate insulating layer; a data lineand a drain electrode disposed on the semiconductor layer; a passivationlayer which covers the data line and the drain electrode; a commonelectrode disposed on the passivation layer; an interlayer insulatinglayer disposed on the common electrode; a pixel electrode disposed onthe interlayer insulating layer; a second substrate disposed opposite tothe first substrate; and a black matrix disposed on the secondsubstrate, and including a vertical portion which covers the data lineand a horizontal portion which covers the gate line and the drainelectrode, in which an opening portion is defined in the black matrix bythe horizontal portion and the vertical portion of the black matrix, anda thickness of the interlayer insulating layer corresponding to thevertical portion of the black matrix is less than a thickness of theinterlayer insulating layer in the opening portion of the black matrix.

In an exemplary embodiment, an empty portion may be defined through theinterlayer insulating layer in a region corresponding to the verticalportion of the black matrix such that the common electrode in a regioncorresponding to the vertical portion of the black matrix may be exposedthrough the interlayer insulating layer.

In an exemplary embodiment, the liquid crystal display may furtherinclude an organic layer disposed on the passivation layer.

In an exemplary embodiment, a common electrode opening portion may bedefined through the common electrode in the region corresponding to thevertical portion of the black matrix, and an empty portion may bedefined through the organic layer in the region corresponding to thevertical portion of the black matrix such that the gate insulating layermay be defined through the interlayer insulating layer and the organiclayer.

In an exemplary embodiment, an empty portion may be defined through thegate insulating layer in the region corresponding to the verticalportion of the black matrix such that the gate line may be exposedthrough the interlayer insulating layer, the organic layer the gateinsulating layer.

In an exemplary embodiment, a thickness of the interlayer insulatinglayer in the opening portion is greater than a thickness of theinterlayer insulating layer in a light blocking portion corresponding tothe black matrix.

Yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention provides a liquidcrystal display, including: a first substrate; a gate line disposed onthe first substrate; a gate insulating layer disposed on the gate line;a semiconductor layer disposed on the gate insulating layer; a data lineand a drain electrode disposed on the semiconductor layer; a pixelelectrode disposed on the drain electrode; a passivation layer disposedon the pixel electrode; a common electrode disposed on the passivationlayer; an additional insulating layer disposed on the common electrode;a second substrate disposed opposite to the first substrate; and a blackmatrix disposed inside the second substrate, and including a verticalportion which covers the data line and a horizontal portion which coversthe gate line and the drain electrode, in which the additionalinsulating layer is disposed in an opening portion exposed through theblack matrix, and an empty portion is defined in the additionalinsulating layer in a light blocking portion corresponding to the blackmatrix.

In an exemplary embodiment, a thickness of the additional insulatinglayer may be in a range of about 1,000 Å to about 3,000 Å.

In an exemplary embodiment, a thickness of the passivation layer in theregion corresponding to the vertical portion of the black matrix may beless than a thickness of the passivation layer in the opening portion.

In an exemplary embodiment, an empty portion may be defined through thepassivation layer in the region corresponding to the vertical portion ofthe black matrix such that the data line in the region corresponding tothe vertical portion of the black matrix may be exposed through thepassivation layer.

In an exemplary embodiment, a total thickness of the interlayerinsulating layer and the additional insulating layer may be greater inthe opening portion than in the light blocking portion.

Still another exemplary embodiment of the invention provides a liquidcrystal display including: a first substrate; a gate line disposed onthe first substrate; a gate insulating layer disposed on the gate line;a semiconductor layer disposed on the gate insulating layer; a data lineand a drain electrode disposed on the semiconductor layer; a pixelelectrode disposed on the drain electrode; a passivation layer disposedon the pixel electrode; a common electrode disposed on the passivationlayer; a second substrate disposed opposite to the first substrate; anda black matrix disposed inside the second substrate, and including avertical portion which covers the data line and a horizontal portionwhich covers the gate line and the drain electrode, in which a thicknessof the passivation layer corresponding to the vertical portion of theblack matrix is less than a thickness of the passivation layer in anopening portion exposed through the black matrix.

According to exemplary embodiments of the invention, a thickness of theinsulation or passivation layer in the lower portion of the black matrixis less than a thickness of the insulation or passivation layer in thelower portion of the pixel electrode, thereby improving a surfaceafterimage and a line afterimage recognized as a surface afterimage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features of the invention will become more apparentby describing in detailed exemplary embodiments thereof with referenceto the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a liquid crystaldisplay according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of the liquidcrystal display illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along line III-III of the liquidcrystal display illustrated in FIG. 1 taken;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative exemplary embodimentof a liquid crystal display, corresponding to the cross-sectional viewof FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of another alternative exemplaryembodiment of a liquid crystal display according to the invention;

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating three types of images having differentgrayscale change degrees on a boundary surface;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of another alternative exemplaryembodiment of the liquid crystal display, corresponding to thecross-sectional view of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of another alternative exemplaryembodiment of the liquid crystal display, corresponding to thecross-sectional view of FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of an alternative exemplary embodiment of a liquidcrystal display, according to the invention;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X-X of the liquidcrystal display illustrated in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI of the liquidcrystal display illustrated in FIG. 9;

FIGS. 12 to 15 are cross-sectional views of alternative exemplaryembodiments of the liquid crystal display, corresponding to thecross-sectional view of FIG. 11;

FIGS. 16 to 19 are cross-sectional views of other alternative exemplaryembodiments of the liquid crystal display, corresponding to thecross-sectional view of FIG. 11;

FIG. 20 is a plan view of another alternative exemplary embodiment of aliquid crystal display according to the invention;

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXII-XXII of theliquid crystal display illustrated in FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXII-XXII of theliquid crystal display illustrated in FIG. 20;

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of another alternative exemplaryembodiment of the liquid crystal display, corresponding to thecross-sectional view of FIG. 21;

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of another alternative exemplaryembodiment of the liquid crystal display, corresponding to thecross-sectional view of FIG. 21; and

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the layout view of theliquid crystal display, corresponding to the cross-sectional view ofFIG. 21.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention now will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which various embodiments areshown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms,and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forthherein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosurewill be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of theinvention to those skilled in the art. Like reference numerals refer tolike elements throughout.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on”another element, it can be directly on the other element or interveningelements may be therebetween. In contrast, when an element is referredto as being “directly on” another element, there are no interveningelements present.

It will be understood that, although the terms “first,” “second,”“third” etc. may be used herein to describe various elements,components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components,regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms.These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region,layer or section from another element, component, region, layer orsection. Thus, “a first element,” “component,” “region,” “layer” or“section” discussed below could be termed a second element, component,region, layer or section without departing from the teachings herein.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, thesingular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the pluralforms, including “at least one,” unless the content clearly indicatesotherwise. “Or” means “and/or.” As used herein, the term “and/or”includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associatedlisted items. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” or “includes” and/or “including” when used in thisspecification, specify the presence of stated features, regions,integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do notpreclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/orgroups thereof.

Furthermore, relative terms, such as “lower” or “bottom” and “upper” or“top,” may be used herein to describe one element's relationship toanother element as illustrated in the Figures. It will be understoodthat relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations ofthe device in addition to the orientation depicted in the Figures. Forexample, if the device in one of the figures is turned over, elementsdescribed as being on the “lower” side of other elements would then beoriented on “upper” sides of the other elements. The exemplary term“lower,” can therefore, encompasses both an orientation of “lower” and“upper,” depending on the particular orientation of the figure.Similarly, if the device in one of the figures is turned over, elementsdescribed as “below” or “beneath” other elements would then be oriented“above” the other elements. The exemplary terms “below” or “beneath”can, therefore, encompass both an orientation of above and below.

“About” or “approximately” as used herein is inclusive of the statedvalue and means within an acceptable range of deviation for theparticular value as determined by one of ordinary skill in the art,considering the measurement in question and the error associated withmeasurement of the particular quantity (i.e., the limitations of themeasurement system). For example, “about” can mean within one or morestandard deviations, or within ±30%, 20%, 10%, 5% of the stated value.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It willbe further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly useddictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and thedisclosure, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formalsense unless expressly so defined herein.

Exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference to crosssection illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealizedembodiments. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations asa result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances,are to be expected. Thus, embodiments described herein should not beconstrued as limited to the particular shapes of regions as illustratedherein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example,from manufacturing. For example, a region illustrated or described asflat may, typically, have rough and/or nonlinear features. Moreover,sharp angles that are illustrated may be rounded. Thus, the regionsillustrated in the figures are schematic in nature and their shapes arenot intended to illustrate the precise shape of a region and are notintended to limit the scope of the claims.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of a liquid crystal display accordingto the invention will be described in detail with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

First, an exemplary embodiment of a liquid crystal display according tothe invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a liquid crystaldisplay according to the invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional viewtaken along line II-II of the liquid crystal display illustrated inFIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of theliquid crystal display illustrated in FIG. 1.

First, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an exemplary embodiment of the liquidcrystal display according to the invention includes a lower panel 100and an upper panel 200, which face each other, and a liquid crystallayer 3 interposed between the lower and upper panels 100 and 200.

First, the lower panel 100 will be described in detail.

The lower panel 100 includes an insulating substrate 110 including atransparent material such as glass, plastic or the like, and a gateconductor including a gate line 121 is disposed on the insulatingsubstrate 110.

The gate line 121 includes a gate electrode 124, and a wide end portion(not illustrated) for connection with another layer or an externaldriving circuit. The gate line 121 may include an aluminum-based metal,such as aluminum (Al) or an aluminum alloy, a silver-based metal, suchas silver (Ag) or a silver alloy, a copper-based metal, such as copper(Cu) or a copper alloy, a molybdenum-based metal, such as molybdenum(Mo) or a molybdenum alloy, chromium (Cr), tantalum (Ta), or titanium(Ti). In an exemplary embodiment, the gate line 121 may have amulti-layer structure including at least two conductive layers havingdifferent physical properties from each other.

A gate insulating layer 140 including silicon nitride (SiNx), siliconoxide (SiOx), or the like is disposed on the gate conductor. The gateinsulating layer 140 may have a multi-layer structure including at leasttwo insulating layers having different physical properties from eachother.

A semiconductor 154 including amorphous silicon, polysilicon, or thelike is disposed on the gate insulating layer 140. The semiconductor 154may include an oxide semiconductor, for example.

Ohmic contacts 163 and 165 are disposed on the semiconductor 154.

The ohmic contacts 163 and 165 may include a material, such as n+hydrogenated amorphous silicon in which an n-type impurity, such asphosphorus, is doped at a high concentration, or silicide. The ohmiccontact 163 and 165 may be disposed on the semiconductor 154 as a pair.In an exemplary embodiment, where the semiconductor 154 includes theoxide semiconductor, the ohmic contacts 163 and 165 may be omitted.

A data conductor including a data line 171, a source electrode 173 and adrain electrode 175 is disposed on the ohmic contacts 163 and 165 andthe gate insulating layer 140.

The data line 171 includes a wide end portion (not illustrated) forconnection with another layer or an external driving circuit. The dataline 171 transfers a data signal and extends substantially in a verticaldirection to cross the gate line 121.

In an exemplary embodiment, the data line 171 may have a first bentportion having a bent shape to obtain maximum transmittance of theliquid crystal display, and the bent portions may meet each other in amiddle region of a pixel region to form a V-like shape. A second bentportion, which is bent at a predetermined angle with the first bentportion, may be further included in the middle region of the pixelregion.

The first bent portion of the data line 171 may be bent at about 7° withrespect to a vertical reference line (an imaginary reference lineextending in the vertical direction) having 90° with respect to ahorizontal direction, in which the gate line 121 extends. The secondbent portion disposed in the middle region of the pixel region may befurther bent at an angle in a range of about 7° to about 15° withrespect to the first bent portion.

The source electrode 173 is defined by a part of the data line 171, anddisposed on the same line as the data line 171. The drain electrode 175extends substantially parallel to the source electrode 173. Accordingly,the drain electrode 175 is substantially parallel to the part of thedata lines 171.

The gate electrode 124, the source electrode 173 and the drain electrode175 collectively define a thin film transistor together with thesemiconductor 154, and a channel of the thin film transistor is formedin the semiconductor 154 between the source electrode 173 and drainelectrode 175.

In an exemplary embodiment, the liquid crystal display may include thesource electrode 173 positioned on the same line as the data line 171and the drain electrode 175 extending substantially parallel to the dataline 171 to increase a width of the thin film transistor withoutincreasing an area occupied by the data conductor, thus increasing anaperture ratio of the liquid crystal display.

The data line 171 and the drain electrode 175 may include a refractorymetal, such as molybdenum, chromium, tantalum, and titanium, or an alloythereof, and may have a multi-layer structure including a refractorymetal layer (not illustrated) and a low resistance conductive layer (notillustrated). In an exemplary embodiment, the multi-layer structure ofthe data line 171 and the drain electrode 175 may include a double layerof a chromium or molybdenum (alloy) lower layer and an aluminum (alloy)upper layer, or a triple layer of a molybdenum (alloy) lower layer, analuminum (alloy) middle layer and a molybdenum (alloy) upper layer, butnot being limited thereto. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, thedata line 171 and the drain electrode 175 may have various metals orconductors. In an exemplary embodiment, a width of the data line 171 maybe in a range of about 2.75 micrometers (μm) to about 4.25 μm.

A passivation layer 180 n is disposed on the data conductors 171, 173and 175, the gate insulating layer 140, and an exposed portion of thesemiconductor 154. The passivation layer 180 n may include an organicinsulating material, an inorganic insulating material, or the like.

An organic layer 180 q is disposed on the passivation layer 180 n. Theorganic layer 180 q may be omitted. The organic layer 180 q may functionas a color filter. In such an embodiment, where the organic layer 180 qis a color filter, the organic layer 180 q may intrinsically display anyone of the primary colors. In an exemplary embodiment, the primarycolors may include three primary colors, such as red, green and blue, oryellow, cyan and magenta, or the like. In an exemplary embodiment, thecolor filter may further include a color filter displaying a mixed colorof the primary colors or white in addition to the primary colors.

A common electrode 270 is disposed on the organic layer 180 q. Thecommon electrode 270 may have a flat surface and be disposed on anentire surface of the substrate 110 in a planar form. The commonelectrodes 270 disposed in the adjacent pixels may be connected to eachother to receive a common voltage having a predetermined value suppliedfrom the outside of the display region.

An interlayer insulating layer 180 z is disposed on the common electrode270. The interlayer insulating layer 180 z may include an organicinsulating material, an inorganic insulating material, or the like.

A pixel electrode 191 is disposed on the interlayer insulating layer 180z. The pixel electrode 191 includes a curved edge, which issubstantially parallel to the first bent portion and the second bentportion of the data line 171. The pixel electrode 191 includes aplurality of branch electrodes 192, and a plurality of cutouts 92 may bedefined in the pixel electrode 191 by the plurality of branch electrodes192.

A first contact hole 185, through which the drain electrode 175 isexposed, is defined through the passivation layer 180 n, the organiclayer 180 q and the interlayer insulating layer 180 z. The pixelelectrode 191 is physically and electrically connected to the drainelectrode 175 through the first contact hole 185 to receive a voltagefrom the drain electrode 175.

An additional insulating layer 180 e is disposed on the pixel electrode191 and the interlayer insulating layer 180 z. The additional insulatinglayer 180 e may be disposed to cover the entire pixel electrode 191, andan empty portion is defined in the additional insulating layer 180 e ina region that overlaps a black matrix 220.

In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the black matrix220 may be disposed on an insulating substrate 210 of the upper panel200, which includes a transparent material such as glass, plastic, orthe like. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the black matrix 220may be disposed in the lower panel

The black matrix 220 includes a vertical portion overlapping or coveringthe data line 171 that extends substantially in a vertical direction,and a horizontal portion overlapping or covering the gate line 121 thatextends substantially in a horizontal direction to cross the data line171.

In an exemplary embodiment, the black matrix may have a lattice shapeincluding an opening portion. Herein, a portion overlapping the blackmatrix in a pixel region is referred to as a light blocking portion, anda portion, which is exposed by the black matrix and in which the pixelelectrode and the like are disposed, in the pixel region is referred toan opening portion.

The additional insulating layer 180 e may include an organic insulatingmaterial, an inorganic insulating material, or the like. In oneexemplary embodiment, for example, the additional insulating layer 180 emay include silicon nitride (SiNx), silicon oxide (SiOx), or the like.

The empty portion of the additional insulating layer 180 e overlaps theblack matrix 220. In such an embodiment, the empty portion in theadditional insulating layer 180 e may be in an upper region of the dataline 171 and an upper region of the region in which the gate line 121and the drain electrode 175. In such an embodiment, the opening portionin the additional insulating layer 180 e may overlap the data line 171,the gate line 121 and the drain electrode 175 such that the additionalinsulating layer 180 e may not overlap the data line 171, the gate line121 and the drain electrode 175.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a lower region of the horizontalportion of the black matrix. Referring to FIG. 2, the empty portion ofthe additional insulating layer 180 e is in a region below andoverlapping the horizontal portion of the black matrix 220.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-section of a lower region of the verticalportion of the black matrix. Referring to FIG. 3, the additionalinsulating layer 180 e is not exist in a region below and overlappingthe vertical portion of the black matrix 220.

The additional insulating layer 180 e may be provided by applying theadditional insulating layer 180 e on the entire black matrix 220 andthen the empty portion of the additional insulating layer 180 e may beprovided by selectively etching a portion thereof in a region below andoverlapping the black matrix.

A thickness d3 of the additional insulating layer 180 e may be in arange of about 1,000 angstrom (Å) to about 3,000 Å. In one exemplaryembodiment of the invention, for example, the thickness d3 of theadditional insulating layer 180 e may be about 2,000 Å.

Hereinafter, the upper panel 200 will be described in detail.

In the upper panel 200, the black matrix is disposed on the insulatingsubstrate 210, including a transparent glass, plastic or the like, toeffectively prevent light leakage.

A plurality of color filters 230 is disposed on the substrate 210. In anexemplary embodiment, where the organic layer 180 q of the lower panel100 is a color filter, the color filter 230 of the upper panel 200 maybe omitted. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the light blockingmember 220 may be disposed in the lower panel 100.

An overcoat 250 is disposed on the color filter 230 and the lightblocking member 220. The overcoat 250 may include an (organic)insulating material, and the overcoat 250 effectively prevents exposureof the color filter 230 and provides a flat surface. In an alternativeexemplary embodiment, the overcoat 250 may be omitted.

In an exemplary embodiment, an alignment layer may be disposed on theovercoat 250.

The liquid crystal layer 3 includes a nematic liquid crystal materialhaving positive dielectric anisotropy. The liquid crystal molecules ofthe liquid crystal layer 3 are arranged in a predetermined directionsuch that a direction of a longitudinal axes thereof are substantiallyparallel to the display panels 100 and 200, and the liquid crystal layerhas a structure in which the direction of the longitudinal axes thereofare twisted about 90° from a rubbing direction of the alignment layer ofthe lower panel 100 to the upper panel 200 in a spiral form.

The pixel electrode 191 receives a data voltage from the drain electrode175, and the common electrode 270 receives a common voltage having apredetermined level from a common voltage application part disposedoutside the display region.

The pixel electrode 191 and the common electrode 270, which are fieldgenerating electrodes, generate an electric field in the liquid crystallayer 3, such that the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystallayer 3 positioned on the two electrodes 191 and 270 are rotated in adirection substantially parallel to a direction of the electric field.In such an embodiment, polarization of light passing through the liquidcrystal layer is changed based on the determined rotation direction ofthe liquid crystal molecules.

Then, an alternative exemplary embodiment of a liquid crystal displayaccording to the invention will be described with reference to FIG. 4.FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative exemplary embodimentof the liquid crystal display corresponding to the cross-sectional viewof FIG. 3.

The liquid crystal display shown in FIG. 4 is substantially the same asthe liquid crystal display shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, except for theinterlayer insulating layer 180 z. The same or like elements shown inFIG. 4 have been labeled with the same reference characters as usedabove to describe the exemplary embodiments of the liquid crystaldisplay shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and any repetitive detailed descriptionthereof will hereinafter be omitted or simplified.

In an exemplary embodiment of the liquid crystal display, as shown inFIG. 4, the interlayer insulating layer 180 z is not exist in thepartial region in the lower region of the black matrix. In such anembodiment of the liquid crystal display, a portion of the additionalinsulating layer 180 e and the interlayer insulating layer 180 z in aregion below and overlapping the black matrix 220 may be removed. Insuch an embodiment, the region, in which the interlayer insulating layer180 z does not exist, overlaps the black matrix 220 overlapping the dataline 171, that is, a region corresponding to the vertical portion of theblack matrix 220.

The interlayer insulating layer 180 z having the structure describedabove may be provided by providing an interlayer insulating layer tooverlap the entire black matrix 220, and then selectively etching only aportion thereof in a region below and overlapping the black matrix 220.

In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the interlayer insulating layermay be provided by forming all of the interlayer insulating layer andthe additional insulating layer to overlap the entire black matrix 220,and then simultaneously etching the portions of the interlayerinsulating layer and the additional insulating layer in a region belowand overlapping the black matrix 220.

As described above, in an exemplary embodiment, all of the interlayerinsulating layer 180 e and the additional insulating layer 180 z do notexist in a region overlapping the vertical portion of the black matrix220 of the liquid crystal display, such that the interlayer insulatinglayer 180 e and the additional insulating layer 180 z does not overlapthe common electrode 270.

Then, another alternative exemplary embodiment of a liquid crystaldisplay according to the invention will be described with reference toFIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of another alternativeexemplary embodiment of the liquid crystal display, corresponding to thecross-sectional view of FIG. 3. The liquid crystal display shown in FIG.5 is substantially the same as the liquid crystal display shown in FIGS.1 to 3, except for the interlayer insulating layer 180 z. The same orlike elements shown in FIG. 5 have been labeled with the same referencecharacters as used above to describe the exemplary embodiments of theliquid crystal display shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and any repetitivedetailed description thereof will hereinafter be omitted or simplified.

In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the additionalinsulating layer 180 e is on the exposed pixel electrode 191 andinterlayer insulating layer 180 z, and the additional insulating layer180 e does not exist in a region overlapping the black matrix 220.

In such an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a thickness of the interlayerinsulating layer 180 z is less in a region below and overlapping theblack matrix. In an exemplary embodiment, the liquid crystal display maybe manufactured by removing the additional insulating layer 180 e from aregion below and overlapping the black matrix 220, and partially etchinga part of the interlayer insulating layer 180 z from a region below andoverlapping the black matrix 220, such that the thickness of theinterlayer insulating layer 180 z in a region below and overlapping theblack matrix 220 is less.

In such an embodiment, a method of selectively etching the interlayerinsulating layer is substantially the same as the method thereofdescribed above.

In such an embodiment, the thickness of the interlayer insulating layer180 z in a region below and overlapping the black matrix 220 may beequal to or lower than about 50% of a thickness of the interlayerinsulating layer 180 z, that is, the thickness of other portion of theinterlayer insulating layer 180 z in a region other than the regionoverlapping the black matrix 220.

Referring to FIG. 5, the thickness of the additional insulating layer180 e is denoted by d3, the thickness of the interlayer insulating layer180 z in a region below and overlapping of the black matrix(hereinafter, a light blocking portion) is denoted by d1, and athickness of the interlayer insulating layer 180 z in the remainingregion, which does not overlap the black matrix (hereinafter, an openingportion), is denoted by d2.

In an exemplary embodiment, d2 and d3 may be about 2,000 Å, and thethickness d1 of the interlayer insulating layer 180 z in the regionbelow and overlapping the black matrix 220 may be about 1,000 Å.

In such an embodiment, the total thickness d4 of the insulating layersin the opening portion is about 4,000 Å, which is d2 (2,000 Å)+d3 (2,000Å). However, the total thickness d1 of the insulating layers in theregion below and overlapping the black matrix, that is, in the lightblocking portion, is equal to or less than about 1,000 Å. Accordingly,the thickness of the insulating layers in the light blocking portion isless than the thickness of the insulating layers in the opening portion.

As described above, in an exemplary embodiment of the liquid crystaldisplay according to the invention, a thickness of the passivation layerin the light blocking portion, e.g., the region overlapping the blackmatrix, is less than the thickness of the passivation layer in theopening portion, e.g., a region, which does not overlap the blackmatrix. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a surfaceafterimage and a line afterimage, which may be recognized as a surfaceafterimage by a thickness difference of the passivation layer, may beeffectively reduced.

Now, a surface afterimage and a line afterimage recognized as a surfacein an exemplary embodiment of the invention will be described in detail.

A surface afterimage means an image in bright and dark regions arerepeated in the unit of a surface in a middle grayscale image. Thesurface afterimage is generated because optimum common voltages aredifferent between a black image and a white image. An afterimage by adifference in the optimum common voltages is referred to as a directcurrent (“DC”) afterimage.

The DC afterimage may be offset by an ion impurity existing within theliquid crystal. The ion impurity is adsorbed to the alignment layer ofthe pixel electrode and the common electrode to cause a voltage drop. Inthis case, a size of a voltage changed per one ion impurity is expressedby the following Equation.

$V_{cap} = {\frac{Q}{C} = {\frac{d_{cap}}{ɛ_{0} \cdot ɛ_{r} \cdot A_{cap}} \cdot Q}}$

Referring to the Equation above, when a thickness d_(cap) is increased,a voltage V_(cap) changed per one ion Q is increased. Accordingly, whenthe thickness d_(cap) is increased, a change in a voltage is increasedeven though the same number of ions moves, and a surface afterimage maybe rapidly removed.

As described above, in an exemplary embodiment of the liquid crystaldisplay according to the invention, the additional insulating layer 180e is disposed only in the opening portion, such that the thicknessd_(cap) may be determined based on the thickness of the additionalinsulating layer. Accordingly, even though the same number of ions areadsorbed, the voltage is considerably changed, such that the DCafterimage is rapidly offset, thereby effectively removing the surfaceafterimage.

In an exemplary embodiment, a line afterimage recognized as a surfaceafterimage means a sharp change in luminance in a boundary surfacerecognized as a surface afterimage, and may be explained based on theMach band theory.

FIG. 6 illustrates three types of images having different grayscalechange degrees on a boundary surface.

Referring to (a), (b) and (c) of FIG. 6, a grayscale value of a firstregion may be 150, and a grayscale value of a second region, adjacent tothe first region, may be 153.

In (a) of FIG. 6 in which the boundary surface is in a light blockingportion, a boundary of both regions is not recognized. However, in (b)and (c) of FIG. 6, the boundary surface is the opening portion.

In (b) of FIG. 6, a grayscale is sharply increased in the boundarysurface, but in (c) of FIG. 6, a grayscale in the boundary surface isslowly changed. In (b) of FIG. 6, in which the grayscale is sharplychanged in the boundary surface, the boundary of both regions is clearlyrecognized. However, in (c) of FIG. 6, the boundary of both regions isnot clearly recognized. That is, in (b) of FIG. 6, in which thegrayscale is sharply changed, a line afterimage exists, and the lineafterimage may be recognized as a surface afterimage.

As described above, in an exemplary embodiment of the invention, thegrayscale in the boundary surface are slowly changed without beingsharply changed to reduce a line afterimage recognized as a surfaceafterimage.

In an exemplary embodiment of the liquid crystal display, in a boundaryportion of a pixel displaying a black image and a pixel displaying awhite image, voltages are different at a left side and a right side ofthe boundary portion (light blocking portion). The voltage difference isoffset by adsorption of the ion impurity at a lower side of the boundaryportion (light blocking portion).

When the voltage difference is sharply offset by the ion impurity, thegrayscale is sharply changed as illustrated in (b) of FIG. 6. When thesharp change in the grayscale is recognized outside the region of theblack matrix, the sharp change may be viewed as a line afterimagerecognized as a surface afterimage.

Accordingly, to improve, e.g., reduced, the line afterimage recognizedas the surface afterimage, the voltage difference in the boundaryportion of the black image and the white image may be offsetsubstantially gradually.

As described above, a voltage changed by one ion impurity is representedby the Equation below.

$V_{cap} = {\frac{Q}{C} = {\frac{d_{cap}}{ɛ_{0} \cdot ɛ_{r} \cdot A_{cap}} \cdot Q}}$

Accordingly, a grayscale in the boundary surface may be set to begradually changed to improve a line afterimage recognized as a surfaceafterimage in the light blocking portion. Accordingly, in an exemplaryembodiment, the amount of voltages changed per unit ion may be decreasedin the boundary surface.

Referring to the Equation above, when the thickness d_(cap) isdecreased, the voltage V_(cap) changed per one ion Q is decreased.

Accordingly, in an exemplary embodiment of the liquid crystal displayaccording to the invention, the thickness d_(cap) is decreased byremoving the passivation layer in a region light blocked by the blackmatrix, or decreasing a thickness of the passivation layer. Accordingly,the amount of changed voltages per one ion adsorption is decreased, andthe grayscale in the boundary surface is not sharply changed, such thatthe line afterimage recognized as the surface afterimage in the boundarysurface of the black image and the white image is improved.

Then, another alternative exemplary embodiment of a liquid crystaldisplay according to the invention will be described with reference toFIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of another alternativeexemplary embodiment of the liquid crystal display, corresponding to thecross-sectional view of FIG. 3.

The liquid crystal display shown in FIG. 7 is substantially the same asthe liquid crystal display shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, except for theinterlayer insulating layer 180 z and the additional insulating layer180 e. The same or like elements shown in FIG. 7 have been labeled withthe same reference characters as used above to describe the exemplaryembodiments of the liquid crystal display shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and anyrepetitive detailed description thereof will hereinafter be omitted orsimplified.

In an exemplary embodiment of the liquid crystal display, as shown inFIG. 7, the additional insulating layer 180 e is omitted, and theinterlayer insulating layer 180 z is not disposed in a lower region ofthe vertical portion of the black matrix 220. Accordingly, in such anembodiment of the liquid crystal display, thicknesses of the passivationlayer in the opening portion and the light blocking portion aredifferent from each other.

Another alternative exemplary embodiment of a liquid crystal displayaccording to the invention will be described with reference to FIG. 8.FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of another alternative exemplaryembodiment of the liquid crystal display corresponding to thecross-sectional view of FIG. 3. The liquid crystal display shown in FIG.4 is substantially the same as the liquid crystal display shown in FIGS.1 to 3, except for the additional insulating layer 180 e and theinterlayer insulating layer 180 z. The same or like elements shown inFIG. 4 have been labeled with the same reference characters as usedabove to describe the exemplary embodiments of the liquid crystaldisplay shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and any repetitive detailed descriptionthereof will hereinafter be omitted or simplified.

In an exemplary embodiment of the liquid crystal, as shown in FIG. 8,the additional insulating layer 180 e may be omitted, and a thickness d1of the interlayer insulating layer 180 z in the region below andoverlapping the black matrix 220 is less than a thickness of theinterlayer insulating layer in the opening portion region. The thicknessdifference may be provided by applying the interlayer insulating layeron the entire substrate, and then selectively etching a portion of theinterlayer insulating layer in the region below and overlapping theblack matrix 220. Accordingly, in such an embodiment of the liquidcrystal display, the thicknesses of the insulating layers in the openingportion and the light blocking portion are different from each other.

Another alternative exemplary embodiment of a liquid crystal displayaccording to the invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 9to 11. FIG. 9 is a plan view of an alternative exemplary embodiment of aliquid crystal display according to the invention, and FIG. 10 is across-sectional view taken along line X-X of the liquid crystalillustrated in FIG. 9. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken alongline XI-XI of the liquid crystal display illustrated in FIG. 9.

The liquid crystal display shown in FIGS. 9 to 11 is substantially thesame as the liquid crystal display shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, except for thecommon electrode 270. The same or like elements shown in FIGS. 9 to 11have been labeled with the same reference characters as used above todescribe the exemplary embodiments of the liquid crystal display shownin FIGS. 1 to 3, and any repetitive detailed description thereof willhereinafter be omitted or simplified.

In an exemplary embodiment of the liquid crystal, as shown in FIGS. 9 to11, the common electrode 270 disposed on the organic layer 180 q has anopening portion. In such an embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 9, thecommon electrode 270 has an opening portion in a region corresponding toa surrounding area of the drain electrode 175, and an opening portion ina region corresponding to an upper region of the data line 171.

The other features relating to the interlayer insulating layer 180 z andthe additional insulating layer 180 e shown in FIGS. 9 to 11 aresubstantially the same as the features of those described with referenceto FIGS. 1 to 3.

Accordingly, referring to FIG. 11, in an exemplary embodiment of theinvention, the additional insulating layer 180 e is not disposed in aregion overlapping the black matrix, and the opening portion of thecommon electrode 270 is positioned in a lower region of the additionalinsulating layer. Accordingly, in such an embodiment of the liquidcrystal display, the thicknesses of insulating layers in the openingportion and the light blocking portion are different from each other.

Then, alternative exemplary embodiments of the liquid crystal displayaccording to the invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 12to 15. FIGS. 12 to 15 are cross-sectional views of alternative exemplaryembodiment of the liquid crystal display corresponding to thecross-sectional view of FIG. 11. The liquid crystal displays shown inFIGS. 12 to 15 are substantially the same as the liquid crystal displayshown in FIGS. 9 to 11, except for the interlayer insulating layer 180z, the organic layer 180 q or the passivation layer 180 n. The same orlike elements shown in FIGS. 12 to 15 have been labeled with the samereference characters as used above to describe the exemplary embodimentsof the liquid crystal display shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, and any repetitivedetailed description thereof will hereinafter be omitted or simplified.

Referring to FIG. 12, in an exemplary embodiment of the liquid crystaldisplay, the interlayer insulating layer 180 z as well as the additionalinsulating layer 180 e are not disposed a region overlapping thevertical portion of the black matrix 220. In such an embodiment of theliquid crystal display, the common electrode 270 has the opening portionin the region corresponding to an upper portion of the data line (e.g.,the vertical portion of the black matrix), the additional insulatinglayer 180 e and the interlayer insulating layer 180 z are removed fromthe lower region corresponding to the vertical portion of the blackmatrix 220, such that the organic layer 180 q is exposed.

Referring to FIG. 13, in an exemplary embodiment of the liquid crystaldisplay, the additional insulating layer 180 e a region overlapping thevertical portion of the black matrix 220 may be removed, and a part ofthe interlayer insulating layer 180 z in a region overlapping thevertical portion of the black matrix 220 is etched, such that athickness of the interlayer insulating layer 180 z a region overlappingthe vertical portion of the black matrix 220 is less than the thicknessof the interlayer insulating layer 180 z in the opening portion.

In such an embodiment, the thickness of the interlayer insulating layer180 z a region overlapping the black matrix 220 may be equal to or lessthan about 50% of the thickness of the interlayer insulating layer 180 zin the opening portion.

Referring to FIG. 12, a thickness of the additional insulating layer 180e is denoted by d3, a thickness of the interlayer insulating layer 180 za region overlapping the black matrix is denoted by d1, and a thicknessof the interlayer insulating layer in in the opening portion, that is, aregion, which is not covered by the black matrix, is denoted by d2.

In one exemplary embodiment, for example, d2 and d3 may be about 2,000Å, and the d1 may be about 1,000 Å.

In such an embodiment, a total thickness of the insulating layers in theopening portion is about 4,000 Å, which is equal to d2 (2000 Å)+d3 (2000Å). However, the total thickness d1 of the insulating layers in a regionoverlapping the black matrix is equal to or lower than 1000 Å.Accordingly, the thickness of the entire insulating layers in a regionoverlapping the black matrix is less than the thickness of the entireinsulating layers in the region which does not correspond to the blackmatrix.

Referring to FIG. 14, in an alternative exemplary embodiment of theliquid crystal display, all of the additional insulating layer 180 e,the interlayer insulating layer 180 z and the organic layer 180 q areremoved from the lower region corresponding to the vertical portion ofthe black matrix 220. Accordingly, in such an embodiment, thepassivation layer 108 n is exposed through the additional insulatinglayer 180 e, the interlayer insulating layer 180 z and the organic layer180 q a region overlapping the vertical portion of the black matrix 220,and a difference in a thickness of the layers between the light blockingportion and the opening portion is substantially increased.

Referring to FIG. 15, in another alternative exemplary embodiment of theliquid crystal display, all of the additional insulating layer 180 e,the interlayer insulating layer 180 z, the organic layer 180 q and thepassivation layer 180 n are removed from the lower region correspondingto the vertical portion of the black matrix 220. Accordingly, in such anembodiment of the liquid crystal display, as shown in FIG. 15, the gateline 171 is exposed through the additional insulating layer 180 e, theinterlayer insulating layer 180 z, the organic layer 180 q and thepassivation layer 180 n a region overlapping the vertical portion of theblack matrix 220. Accordingly, the thicknesses of the passivation layerbetween the light blocking portion and the opening portion are differentfrom each other. In such an embodiment, all of the passivation layer,the organic layer, the interlayer insulating layer and the additionalinsulating layer exist in the opening portion, while all of thepassivation layer, the organic layer, the interlayer insulating layerand the additional insulating layer do not exist in the light blockingportion.

Then, other alternative exemplary embodiments of the liquid crystaldisplay according to the invention will be described with reference toFIGS. 16 to 19. FIGS. 16 to 19 are cross-sectional views of otheralternative exemplary embodiments of the liquid crystal display,corresponding to the cross-sectional view of FIG. 11. The liquid crystaldisplays shown in FIGS. 16 to 19 are substantially the same as theliquid crystal display shown in FIGS. 12 to 15, except for theadditional insulating layer 180 e. The same or like elements shown inFIGS. 16 to 19 have been labeled with the same reference characters asused above to describe the exemplary embodiments of the liquid crystaldisplay shown in FIGS. 12 to 15, and any repetitive detailed descriptionthereof will hereinafter be omitted or simplified.

The liquid crystal display shown in FIG. 16 is similar to the liquidcrystal display shown in FIG. 12. However, in such an embodiment of theliquid crystal display as shown in FIG. 16, the additional insulatinglayer 180 e may be omitted, and the interlayer insulating layer 180 z isremoved from the lower region corresponding to the vertical portion ofthe black matrix 220.

The liquid crystal display shown in FIG. 17 is similar to the liquidcrystal display shown in FIG. 13. However, in such an embodiment of theliquid crystal display shown in FIG. 17, the additional insulating layer180 e may be omitted, and the thickness d1 of the interlayer insulatinglayer 180 z in a region below and overlapping the black matrix 220 isless than a thickness of the interlayer insulating layer in the openingportion region.

Referring to FIG. 18, the liquid crystal display shown in FIG. 18 issimilar to the liquid crystal display shown in FIG. 14. However, in suchan embodiment of the liquid crystal display shown in FIG. 18, theadditional insulating layer 180 e does not exist. In the liquid crystaldisplay according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 18, the organiclayer and the interlayer insulating layer are removed from the lowerregion corresponding to the vertical portion of the black matrix 220.

Referring to FIG. 19, the liquid crystal display shown in FIG. 19 issimilar to the liquid crystal display shown in FIG. 15. However, in suchan embodiment of the liquid crystal display shown in FIG. 19, theadditional insulating layer 180 e may be omitted. In an exemplaryembodiment of the liquid crystal display, as shown in FIG. 19, thepassivation layer, the organic layer and the interlayer insulating layermay be removed from the lower region corresponding to the verticalportion of the black matrix 220, such that the data line 171 is exposedtherethrough.

Other alternative exemplary embodiment of the liquid crystal displayaccording to the invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 20to 22. The liquid crystal display shown in FIGS. 20 to 22 is similar tothe liquid crystal display shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, except for theadditional insulating layer 180 e. The same or like elements shown inFIGS. 20 to 22 have been labeled with the same reference characters asused above to describe the exemplary embodiments of the liquid crystaldisplay shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and any repetitive detailed descriptionthereof will hereinafter be omitted or simplified.

FIG. 20 is a plan view of an alternative exemplary embodiment of aliquid crystal display according to the invention, and FIG. 21 is across-sectional view taken along line XXII-XXII of the liquid crystaldisplay illustrated in FIG. 20. FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view takenalong line XXII-XXII of the liquid crystal display illustrated in FIG.20.

Referring to FIGS. 20 and 21, an exemplary embodiment of the liquidcrystal display includes a lower panel 100 and an upper panel, whichface each other, and a liquid crystal layer 3 interposed therebetween.

A gate conductor including a gate line 121 is disposed on an insulatingsubstrate 110 of the lower panel 100.

A gate insulating layer 140 including silicon nitride (SiNx), siliconoxide (SiOx), or the like is disposed on the gate conductor.

A semiconductor 154 is disposed on the gate insulating layer 140.

Ohmic contacts 163 and 165 are disposed on the semiconductor 154. In anexemplary embodiment, where the semiconductor 154 is an oxidesemiconductor, the ohmic contacts 163 and 165 may be omitted.

A data conductor including a data line 171 that includes a sourceelectrode 173 and a drain electrode 175 is disposed on the ohmiccontacts 163 and 165 and the gate insulating layer 140.

In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, a pixelelectrode 191 may be disposed directly on the drain electrode 175. Thepixel electrode 191 has a flat shape, e.g., a plate-like shape, and maybe disposed in each pixel region.

In an exemplary embodiment, a passivation layer 180 is disposed on thedata conductors 171, 173 and 175, the gate insulating layer 140, anexposed portion of the semiconductor 154, and the pixel electrode 191.However, in an alternative exemplary embodiment of the liquid crystaldisplay according to the invention, a passivation layer 180 n may bedisposed between the pixel electrode 191 and the data line 171, and thepixel electrode 191 may be connected to the drain electrode 175 througha contact hole (not illustrated) defined in the passivation layer 180 n.

A common electrode 270 is disposed on the passivation layer 180 n. Thecommon electrodes 270 are connected to each other to receive a commonvoltage from a common voltage application part disposed outside thedisplay region.

The common electrode 270 includes a curved edge which is substantiallyparallel to a first bent portion and a second bent portion of the dataline 171, and the common electrodes 270 disposed in the adjacent pixelsare connected to each other. The common electrode 270 has includes aplurality of branch electrodes 271, and a plurality of cutouts 272 isdefined therein by the plurality of branch electrodes 271.

An additional insulating layer 180 e is disposed on the common electrode270. The additional insulating layer 180 e is disposed on the entirecommon electrode 270, but is not disposed in a region overlapping ablack matrix 220.

The black matrix 220 may be disposed on an insulating substrate 210 ofthe upper panel 200. The insulating substrate 210 of the upper panel 200may include a transparent material such as glass, plastic, or the like.In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the black matrix 220 may bedisposed in the lower panel 100. The black matrix 220 covers the dataline 171 extending substantially in a vertical direction, and a gateline 121 extending substantially in a horizontal direction to cross thedata line 171.

The additional insulating layer 180 e may include an organic insulatingmaterial, an inorganic insulating material, or the like. In oneexemplary embodiment, for example, the additional insulating layer 180 emay include silicon nitride (SiNx), silicon oxide (SiOx), or the like.

The additional insulating layer 180 e does not exist in a lower regionof the black matrix 220. That is, the additional insulating layer 180 eis not disposed on an upper region of the data line 171 and an upperregion of the region in which the gate line 121 and the drain electrode175 exist.

FIG. 21 illustrates a cross-section of a lower region of the horizontalportion of the black matrix. Referring to FIG. 21, the additionalinsulating layer 180 e is not exist a region below and overlapping thehorizontal portion of the black matrix 220.

FIG. 22 illustrates a cross-section of the region below and overlappingthe vertical portion of the black matrix. Referring to FIG. 22, theadditional insulating layer 180 e is not exist in a region below andoverlapping the vertical portion of the black matrix 220.

The additional insulating layer 180 e may be provided by applying theadditional insulating layer 180 e on the entire black matrix 220 andthen selectively etching a portion thereof only in the region below andoverlapping the black matrix.

A thickness d3 of the additional insulating layer may be in a range ofabout 1,000 Å to about 3,000 Å. In an exemplary embodiment of theinvention, the thickness d3 of the additional insulating layer may beabout 2,000 Å.

In an exemplary embodiment, an alignment layer (not shown) may bedisposed on the common electrode 270 and the additional insulating layer180 e. In such an embodiment, the alignment layer may be a horizontalalignment layer, and may be rubbed in a predetermined direction. In analternative exemplary embodiment, the alignment layer may include aphotoreactive material to be optically aligned.

Then, the upper panel 200 will be described.

In an exemplary embodiment, as described above, the light blockingmember 220 may be disposed on the insulating substrate 210. A pluralityof color filters 230 is disposed on the substrate 210. In an alternativeexemplary embodiment, the color filters 230 may be disposed on the lowerpanel 100, and in such an embodiment, the light blocking member 220 mayalso be disposed on the lower panel 100.

An overcoat 250 is disposed on the color filter 230 and the lightblocking member 220. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, theovercoat 250 may be omitted.

An alignment layer may be disposed on the overcoat 250. The liquidcrystal layer 3 includes a nematic liquid crystal material havingpositive dielectric anisotropy. The liquid crystal molecules of theliquid crystal layer 3 are arranged such that a direction of alongitudinal axes thereof are substantially parallel to the displaypanels 100 and 200, and the liquid crystal layer has a structure inwhich the direction of the longitudinal axes thereof are twisted 90°from a rubbing direction of the alignment layer of the lower panel 100to the upper panel 200 in a spiral shape.

Then, another alternative exemplary embodiment of a liquid crystaldisplay according to the invention will be described with reference toFIG. 23. FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment ofthe liquid crystal display corresponding to the cross-sectional viewillustrated in FIG. 20, and illustrates a cross-section of the regionbelow and overlapping the vertical portion of the black matrix.

Referring to FIG. 23, the liquid crystal display shown in FIG. 23 issimilar to the liquid crystal display of FIGS. 21 and 22. The same orlike elements shown in FIG. 23 have been labeled with the same referencecharacters as used above to describe the exemplary embodiments of theliquid crystal display shown in FIGS. 21 to 22, and any repetitivedetailed description thereof will hereinafter be omitted or simplified.

In an exemplary embodiment of the liquid crystal display, as shown inFIG. 23, the passivation layer 180 n does not exist in a partial region,e.g., in the region below and overlapping the black matrix. In such anembodiment of the liquid crystal display, the additional insulatinglayer 180 e and the passivation layer 180 n do not exist in a regionbelow and overlapping the black matrix 220. In such an embodiment, theregion in which the passivation layer does not exist is a region belowand overlapping the black matrix 220 covering the data line 171, thatis, a region corresponding to the vertical portion of the black matrix220.

In such an embodiment, the passivation layer may be provided, e.g.,formed, by applying the passivation layer 180 n on the entire blackmatrix 220, and then selectively etching a portion thereof only a regionbelow and overlapping the black matrix in a subsequent step.

In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the passivation layer may beprovided by forming all of the passivation layer and the additionalinsulating layer, and then simultaneously etching a portion of thepassivation layer 180 n and the additional insulating layer 180 e onlyin a region below and overlapping the black matrix.

In such an embodiment, where none of the organic layer 180 q and theadditional insulating layer 180 e exist in the lower portion of thevertical portion of the black matrix 220, the data line 171 may beexposed.

Then, another alternative exemplary embodiment of a liquid crystaldisplay according to the invention will be described with reference toFIG. 24. FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of another alternativeexemplary embodiment of the liquid crystal display corresponding to thecross-sectional view of FIG. 20, and illustrates a cross-section of theregion below and overlapping the vertical portion of the black matrix.Referring to FIG. 24, the liquid crystal display shown in FIG. 24 issimilar to the liquid crystal display shown in FIG. 22. The same or likeelements shown in FIG. 24 have been labeled with the same referencecharacters as used above to describe the exemplary embodiments of theliquid crystal display shown in FIG. 22, and any repetitive detaileddescription thereof will hereinafter be omitted or simplified.

That is, even in the exemplary embodiment, the additional insulatinglayer 180 e exists on the exposed common electrode 270 and passivationlayer 180 n, and the passivation layer 180 n does not exist in a regionbelow and overlapping the black matrix 220.

However, in an exemplary embodiment of the liquid crystal display, asshown in FIG. 24, a thickness d5 of the passivation layer 180 n in aregion below and overlapping the black matrix is less than a thicknessd6 of the passivation layer 180 n in the other regions. In an exemplaryembodiment, the additional insulating layer 180 e is removed from aregion below and overlapping the black matrix 220, and a part of thepassivation layer 180 is etched, such that the thickness of thepassivation layer 180 n may be reduced.

A method of selectively etching the passivation layer of such anembodiment is substantially the same as the method described above.

In such an embodiment, the thickness of the passivation layer 180 n in aregion below and overlapping the black matrix 220 may be equal to orlower than about 50% of a thickness of other portions of the passivationlayer 180 n.

The thickness of the passivation layer 180 n may be less in all of theregion corresponding to the horizontal portion of the black matrix andthe region corresponding to the vertical portion of the black matrix, orthe thickness of the passivation layer 180 n may be less in only one ofthe horizontal portion and the vertical portion of the black matrix.

Then, another alternative exemplary embodiment of a liquid crystaldisplay according to the invention will be described with reference toFIG. 25. FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the layout viewof the liquid crystal display, corresponding to the cross-sectional viewof FIG. 21.

Referring FIG. 25, the liquid crystal display shown in FIG. 25 issimilar to the liquid crystal display shown in FIG. 24. The same or likeelements shown in FIG. 25 have been labeled with the same referencecharacters as used above to describe the exemplary embodiments of theliquid crystal display shown in FIG. 24, and any repetitive detaileddescription thereof will hereinafter be omitted or simplified.

However, in an exemplary embodiment of the liquid crystal display asshown in FIG. 25, the additional insulating layer 180 e is omitted. Insuch an embodiment, a thickness d1 of the passivation layer 180 n in aregion below and overlapping the black matrix 220 is less than athickness of the passivation layer 180 in the opening portion region.The thickness difference may be provided by applying the passivationlayer on the entire substrate in a process of forming the passivationlayer 180 n, and then selectively etching the passivation layer only ina region below and overlapping the black matrix 220. Accordingly, insuch an embodiment, the thicknesses of the passivation layer in theopening portion and the light blocking portion are different from eachother.

While the invention has been described in connection with what ispresently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments, it is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited to the disclosedembodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover variousmodifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A liquid crystal display, comprising: a firstsubstrate; a gate line disposed on the first substrate; a gateinsulating layer disposed on the gate line; a semiconductor layerdisposed on the gate insulating layer; a data line disposed on thesemiconductor layer; a drain electrode disposed on the semiconductorlayer; a passivation layer which covers the data line and the drainelectrode; an organic layer disposed on the passivation layer; a commonelectrode disposed on the passivation layer; an interlayer insulatinglayer disposed on the common electrode; a pixel electrode disposed onthe interlayer insulating layer; an additional insulating layer disposedon the pixel electrode; a second substrate disposed opposite to thefirst substrate; and a black matrix disposed on the second substrate,wherein the black matrix comprises: a vertical portion which covers thedata line; and a horizontal portion which covers the gate line and thedrain electrode, wherein the additional insulating layer is disposed inan opening portion exposed through the black matrix, an empty portion isdefined through the additional insulating layer in a light blockingportion corresponding to the black matrix, and a thickness of theinterlayer insulating layer corresponding to the vertical portion of theblack matrix is less than a thickness of the interlayer insulating layerin the opening portion.
 2. The liquid crystal display of claim 1,wherein an empty portion is defined through the interlayer insulatinglayer in a region corresponding to the vertical portion of the blackmatrix such that the common electrode in the region corresponding to thevertical portion of the black matrix is exposed through the additionalinsulating layer and the interlayer insulating layer.
 3. The liquidcrystal display of claim 2, wherein a common electrode opening portionis defined through the common electrode in the region corresponding tothe vertical portion of the black matrix, and an empty portion isdefined through the organic layer in the region corresponding to thevertical portion of the black matrix such that the gate insulating layeris exposed through the additional insulating layer, the interlayerinsulating layer and the organic layer.
 4. The liquid crystal display ofclaim 3, wherein an empty portion is defined through the gate insulatinglayer in the region corresponding to the vertical portion of the blackmatrix such that the gate line is exposed through the additionalinsulating layer, the interlayer insulating layer, the organic layer andthe gate insulating layer.
 5. The liquid crystal display of claim 1,wherein a total thickness of the interlayer insulating layer and theadditional insulating layer is greater in the opening portion than inthe light blocking portion.
 6. A liquid crystal display, comprising: afirst substrate; a gate line disposed on the first substrate; a gateinsulating layer disposed on the gate line; a semiconductor layerdisposed on the gate insulating layer; a data line disposed on thesemiconductor layer; a drain electrode disposed on the semiconductorlayer; a passivation layer which covers the data line and the drainelectrode; a common electrode disposed on the passivation layer; aninterlayer insulating layer disposed on the common electrode; a pixelelectrode disposed on the interlayer insulating layer; a secondsubstrate disposed opposite to the first substrate; and a black matrixdisposed on the second substrate, wherein the black matrix comprises: avertical portion which covers the data line; and a horizontal portionwhich covers the gate line and the drain electrode, wherein an openingportion is defined in the black matrix by the horizontal portion and thevertical portion of the black matrix, and a thickness of the interlayerinsulating layer corresponding to the vertical portion of the blackmatrix is less than a thickness of the interlayer insulating layer inthe opening portion of the black matrix.
 7. The liquid crystal displayof claim 6, wherein an empty portion is defined through the interlayerinsulating layer in a region corresponding to the vertical portion ofthe black matrix such that the common electrode in a regioncorresponding to the vertical portion of the black matrix is exposedthrough the interlayer insulating layer.
 8. The liquid crystal displayof claim 7, further comprising: an organic layer disposed on thepassivation layer.
 9. The liquid crystal display of claim 8, wherein acommon electrode opening portion is defined through the common electrodein the region corresponding to the vertical portion of the black matrix,and an empty portion is defined through the organic layer in the regioncorresponding to the vertical portion of the black matrix such that thegate insulating layer is defined through the interlayer insulating layerand the organic layer.
 10. The liquid crystal display of claim 9,wherein an empty portion is defined through the gate insulating layer inthe region corresponding to the vertical portion of the black matrixsuch that the gate line is exposed through the interlayer insulatinglayer, the organic layer the gate insulating layer.
 11. The liquidcrystal display of claim 6, wherein a thickness of the interlayerinsulating layer in the opening portion is greater than a thickness ofthe interlayer insulating layer in a light blocking portioncorresponding to the black matrix.
 12. A liquid crystal display,comprising: a first substrate; a gate line disposed on the firstsubstrate; a gate insulating layer disposed on the gate line; asemiconductor layer disposed on the gate insulating layer; a data linedisposed on the semiconductor layer; a drain electrode disposed on thesemiconductor layer; a pixel electrode disposed on the drain electrode;a passivation layer disposed on the pixel electrode; a common electrodedisposed on the passivation layer; an additional insulating layerdisposed on the common electrode; a second substrate disposed oppositeto the first substrate; and a black matrix disposed on the secondsubstrate, wherein the black matrix comprises: a vertical portion whichcovers the data line; and a horizontal portion which covers the gateline and the drain electrode, wherein the additional insulating layer isdisposed in an opening portion exposed through the black matrix, and anempty portion is defined in the additional insulating layer in a lightblocking portion corresponding to the black matrix.
 13. The liquidcrystal display of claim 12, wherein a thickness of the additionalinsulating layer is in a range of about 1,000 Å to about 3,000 Å. 14.The liquid crystal display of claim 12, wherein a thickness of thepassivation layer in the region corresponding to the vertical portion ofthe black matrix is less than a thickness of the passivation layer inthe opening portion.
 15. The liquid crystal display of claim 14, whereinan empty portion is defined through the passivation layer in the regioncorresponding to the vertical portion of the black matrix such that thedata line in the region corresponding to the vertical portion of theblack matrix is exposed through the passivation layer.
 16. The liquidcrystal display of claim 12, wherein a total thickness of the interlayerinsulating layer and the additional insulating layer is greater in theopening portion than in the light blocking portion.
 17. A liquid crystaldisplay, comprising: a first substrate; a gate line disposed on thefirst substrate; a gate insulating layer disposed on the gate line; asemiconductor layer disposed on the gate insulating layer; a data lineand a drain electrode disposed on the semiconductor layer; a pixelelectrode disposed on the drain electrode; a passivation layer disposedon the pixel electrode; a common electrode disposed on the passivationlayer; a second substrate corresponding to the first substrate; and ablack matrix disposed inside the second substrate, wherein the blackmatrix comprises: a vertical portion which covers the data line; and ahorizontal portion which covers the gate line and the drain electrode,wherein a thickness of the passivation layer corresponding to thevertical portion of the black matrix is less than a thickness of thepassivation layer in an opening portion exposed through the blackmatrix.